Mayor Nutter Urges Residents In Flood Prone Areas To Relocate

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Mayor Nutter is asking everyone who lives in a flood-prone area in the city of Philadelphia to relocate.

“Make plans now to stay with family and friends. We are calling on you to be out of those homes by 2 p.m. on Sunday,” Nutter said.

The announcement came Friday afternoon during a press conference on Hurricane Sandy.

“The differences between the two storms are Sandy could bring an increase of sustain winds and wind gusts which never really materialized during Irene last year. And also, paired with some tidal flooding, we could have some record flooding,” said Samantha Phillips of the Philadelphia office of emergency management.

Kelly Drive, MLK Boulevard and the areas near Pennypack Creek were named as spots in the city particularly prone to flooding.

Mayor Nutter also said this will be “a slow-moving storm” and residents should be ready for the possibility of flooding, damaging winds, power outages and other effects. No shelters are being opened as of yet, but if they are, two locations – West Philadelphia High School and Roxborough High School – will be utilized. Residents should bring their pets with them to these shelters.

“We’ve been through this before. I call on Philadelphians to exercise good judgement,” Mayor Nutter said. “Make your plans now.”

And he says other residents should spend the day stocking up and battening down the hatches.

“Now is the time to get ready, so you don’t find yourself in a dangerous situation at the last minute, if Sandy hits landfall in our area,” Nutter continues.

The 311 Non-Emergency Call Center will have expanded hours over the weekend, and reserve 911 for only true emergencies.